13:28
25.3.2014
Human Rights Watch (HRW) says two Ukrainian political activists were beaten and another tortured by pro-Russian forces in Crimea. HRW says Andriy Schekun and Anatoliy Kovalsky -- who had gone to Crimea to organize pro-Ukraine rallies ahead of the March 16 referendum on Crimea's status -- were detained, interrogated, and beaten for 11 days before being released. Schekun had also been tortured with electric shocks, was tied up, and often kept naked.
The New York-based watchdog said at least four other activists were detained by pro-Russia militia this month. Three are still missing.
Here's an excerpt from that report:
The New York-based watchdog said at least four other activists were detained by pro-Russia militia this month. Three are still missing.
Here's an excerpt from that report:
“These horrendous arbitrary detentions and the allegation of torture in Crimea urgently demand a thorough investigation,” said Hugh Williamson, Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “For weeks irregular armed units have been allowed to run amok on the Crimean peninsula without any apparent legal authority or accountability, and it’s led to insecurity, arbitrary detentions, abductions, and torture.”
The Crimean authorities and Russia as an occupying power should immediately safeguard respect for the law, Human Rights Watch said. They should ensure that no armed individuals or groups are allowed to operate outside of the existing legal framework and that members of any special forces operating on Crimean territory comply with international human rights and humanitarian law.
The Crimean authorities and Russia as an occupying power should immediately safeguard respect for the law, Human Rights Watch said. They should ensure that no armed individuals or groups are allowed to operate outside of the existing legal framework and that members of any special forces operating on Crimean territory comply with international human rights and humanitarian law.
13:31
25.3.2014
"Responding to the shouts 'Stop! Police! Do not move!' Biliy [Oleksandr Muzychko], who heard this upon his exit from the cafe, attempted to flee, jumped out of the window, rolled over on the ground and while running away opened fire at our riot policemen."
-- Ukrainian Deputy Interior Minister Vladimir Yevdokimov on the death overnight of Right Sector leader Muzychko in a shoot-out with police (as quoted by Reuters)
-- Ukrainian Deputy Interior Minister Vladimir Yevdokimov on the death overnight of Right Sector leader Muzychko in a shoot-out with police (as quoted by Reuters)
13:35
25.3.2014
In a last minute addition to his schedule, Obama sat down with Nazarbayev. "They did not address the #Ukraine crisis" http://t.co/dWx7shaTXr
— Just Hovens Greve (@JustHovensGreve) March 25, 2014
13:38
25.3.2014
Russia is shocked, SHOCKED to hear that Ukraine is considering pulling out of the NPT.
#Ukraine initiative to withdraw from Non-Proliferation Treaty puts document under threat http://t.co/TRd1GOUKe3
— MFA Russia (@mfa_russia) March 25, 2014
13:42
25.3.2014
My sources: EU privately hinted that it's possible to drop #LGBT rights from visa talks, Ukraine's govt publicly paraded it as a done deal
— Maxim Eristavi (@MaximEristavi) March 25, 2014
13:47
25.3.2014
From our profile of the controversial slain Right Sector leader Oleksandr Muzychko by Daisy Sindelar:
It includes video of Muzychko assaulting a prosecutor and threatening a lawmaker with a rifle.
We already posted this video from a week ago of Myzychko being interviewed by our Ukrainian Service:
At a time when many Euromaidan organizers were desperate to keep the protest movement peaceful, Muzychko and other Right Sector members, operating under leader Dmytro Yarosh, were committed to a militarized fight against the regime of now-ousted President Viktor Yanukovych.
"The person who holds the Kalashnikov is the person who calls the shots," Muzychko was quoted as saying.
"The person who holds the Kalashnikov is the person who calls the shots," Muzychko was quoted as saying.
It includes video of Muzychko assaulting a prosecutor and threatening a lawmaker with a rifle.
We already posted this video from a week ago of Myzychko being interviewed by our Ukrainian Service:
13:54
25.3.2014
14:13
25.3.2014
Via correspondent @CoalsonR, an obozrevatel.com report says calling for the return of Crimea to Ukraine is punishable by five years in jail under Russian anti-extremism legislation.
14:16
25.3.2014
14:33
25.3.2014